Comments on: Mixing Insulin in the pump

By: kristan_180

kristan_180 — Sat, 11 Jan 2003 09:56:28 +0000

You suggest that your BG’s are not accurate 2 hr. after…they probably are
accurate, but meaningless. I don’t know much about your particular problem,
but
I would tend to just take BG’s every 2 hr. until I found the number that made
sense. What we really need is a continuous monitor, like the proposed
glucowatch (which looks unlikely at this date)…
David

GAIL DARLING wrote:

By: rodney_800

rodney_800 — Fri, 10 Jan 2003 21:14:15 +0000

Frank, with your gastroparesis I am surprised you test two hours after a
meal. I also have gastro. and my meal is just in the process of digesting,
so if I take a bg two hours after eating it doesn’t really tell me
anything. I am really having trouble now, I eat six small meals a day, so
it seems I always have food digesting and I find it difficult to find a
time I can get an accurate bg.
Gail

By: kristan_180

kristan_180 — Fri, 10 Jan 2003 17:41:06 +0000

I would consider using regular insulin just as dangerous as the fear of the
short life of the Humilog, as regular builds up in your system and lasts longer,
resulting in unexpected lows. Since I started using Humilog I have had NO
dangerous lows; I used to have one a month using regular insulin in the pump.
Now, no more!!
David

Frank wrote:

By: kristan_180

kristan_180 — Fri, 10 Jan 2003 09:33:26 +0000

The square wave bolus distributes the selected bolus value over a specified
number of hours. For example, I often take a standard 5 unit bolus and a
square wave 5 unit bolus spread over 4 hours. This amounts to a 10 unit
bolus spread over four hours with an up front 5 units followed by 2.5
units/hour for four hours. Minimed introduced this feature in the 507 as
many people (me included) were simulating a square wave bolus in the 506 using
a temporary basal value. This is awkward to enter, however, and the square
wave feature makes it easy. I first learned about the sq. wave concept from
the UCSF diabetes teaching center in San Francisco. I think (not sure) that
the new edition of pumping insulin has some stuff about it. Anyway, when
using Humilog it is a great idea, due to the short lifetime of the insulin.

David

GAIL DARLING wrote:

By: antoinette_5

antoinette_5 — Fri, 10 Jan 2003 03:22:35 +0000

I agree David, I tend to test 2 hours after I eat to. The only thing is
everyone is individual, what might work well for you may not work well for
the next person. I do not know if I would take the risk of mixing 2 types
but I wanted to know if any one has and how there experiences have been.
Thanks David

By: antoinette_5

antoinette_5 — Thu, 09 Jan 2003 19:14:54 +0000

It is okay Gail, some people have been mixing the 2 insulins because they
feel that Humalog can clog and plus it can give u more protection against a
severe high blood sugar because when Humalog clogs or if u have a set
problem u tend to go high very fast.
A square wave bolus is a feature that was put on the Minimed 507, it allows
u to give a bolus over a longer period of time. I have used the feature and
continue to. Instead of taking the dose all at once u can program it over an
half an hour or up to 2 hours.

By: rodney_800

rodney_800 — Thu, 09 Jan 2003 04:35:52 +0000

What is this square wave bolus? I have it heard it mentioned before on
this list. Is it the same as an alternate bolus? I have a Mini-Med 506.
When do you use the alternative bolus.
Gail

By: kristan_180

kristan_180 — Wed, 08 Jan 2003 16:55:03 +0000

From my experience, mixing the two insulins would be counterproductive. I get
such good results with Humilog that I would not want the danger of introducing a
longer lasting insulin in the mix. But, the short lifetime is a serious
problem, and I routinely test BG two hours after any meal. A long lasting carb
(e.g., pasta) can boost the BG after the Humilog wears out. The square wave
bolus available in the Minimed 507 is very useful for counteracting this effect,
and I use it when I know a carb will be around for more than two hours.
David

Frank wrote:

By: clair4

clair4 — Wed, 08 Jan 2003 09:18:48 +0000

Dear Frank..I would not advise mixing insulin..humalog is the best
formulation invented so far..as far as your gastroparesis problem might I
suggest that you experiment with the square wave bolus feature on your
pump..I read about this in an issue of Self-Management ..you could check with
your Dr about it..Good Luck..Leslie

By: antoinette_5

antoinette_5 — Wed, 08 Jan 2003 02:36:32 +0000

The reason why I am thinking about this is because the Humalog sometimes
burns very fast especially since my digestion has slowed down due to
Gastroparesis. People do mix Humalog and Regular, the ratio is How much
Humalog to Regular. Some people use 4 units of Humalog to 1 unit of humalog.
I was just wondering if anyone has tried and have they had any success.